India women script best Hockey World Cup finish in 52 years with 3-1 win over Germany
India capped their Women’s Hockey World Cup campaign with a memorable 3-1 victory over higher-ranked Germany in the fifth-place playoff on Thursday, securing their best finish at the tournament in 52 years.
The result marked a significant turnaround for the Indian team, which had gone through a difficult phase after failing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics and being relegated from the FIH Pro League.
India had hoped to reach the semifinals but lost to Australia in the quarterfinals. They bounced back against Germany with a confident display to finish fifth and end their campaign on a positive note.
Strength and conditioning coach Dr Wayne Lombard said the result was a reflection of the team’s transformation over the past several months.
“When we came in January, we had a list of about 20 injuries and now we have finished fifth in the World Cup. It says it all,” Lombard told PTI.
Lombard said the victory over Germany would give the players greater belief ahead of the Asian Games.
“We were disappointed as we wanted to win against Australia and play the semifinals. But the team was terrific against Germany and it will give a lot of confidence ahead of the Asian Games,” he said.
“A 3-1 win against a team like Germany is a testament to how good this team is.”
He said the improvement in the team’s physical condition had also translated into greater mental confidence, allowing the players to compete more strongly against top-ranked opponents.
“They now have the confidence of beating top teams and that’s what we wanted them to know — that they can compete with the best in the world both physically and mentally,” Lombard said.
Assistant coach Mathias Vila also credited the team’s exposure to stronger opposition for its progress. He said Indian players had always possessed skill and determination but had improved their defensive structure and understanding of the team game.
“It’s important to play against the higher-ranked teams and to know how to beat them,” Vila said.
“Indian players are very skillful and have a lot of will, but now they are playing with better structure and defence. They now understand better how to play as a team.”
India’s recent progress has been notable. After their Olympic setback and Pro League relegation, they returned to the top-level competition by winning the Nations Cup and securing promotion.
Lombard, who was part of the coaching setup during India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, believes the current team has the potential to go further.
“This team has the potential to win medals at World Cups and Olympics. The only thing we need to change is consistency,” he said.
He also highlighted the impact of the Women’s Hockey India League, saying it had helped Indian players become more comfortable playing against and interacting with international stars.
The fifth-place finish gives India a significant boost as they turn their attention to the Asian Games, with the coaching staff confident that the team can build on its progress and challenge the world’s best more consistently.
